Dozens gather to pack Kidz Power Pacs, fight poverty

March 16, 2013

MARTINSBURG - Ninety-five people joined hands and wrapped around the entire school cafeteria and surrounding hallways from all three counties and a few from Maryland to pray over the communities, schools, churches and about the poverty so many are facing.

Shortly thereafter, more continued to enter Eagle School Intermediate on Feb. 23 for the Kidz Power Pac packing, which is feeding more than 300 children between Berkeley and Jefferson counties. This is actually pretty normal for their once a month packing, but what was different was the word "poverty" that is on everyone's hearts and minds. Gas prices keep increasing, food prices keep increasing, health costs and everyday supplies and we are seeing less in paychecks as hours decrease at the workplace or jobs are lost.

The Kidz Power Pacs program, which falls under the ministry of Community Combined Ministries, sees and hears the stories from the families they are serving all the time. It's heartbreaking because one group can only do so much. Then the thought came, if everyone can gather once a month to help support and pack the KPP for the children, we can join forces to relieve other issues of poverty as well. On Feb. 23 at Eagle Intermediate School, at least 10 local churches and several other nonprofits sat up informational booths during the packing. KPP families and others in the community were invited to attend and gain these resources that may help relieve some of the burden from all the price increases. Many people were prayed over, information was given out and connections were made between 9 a.m. and noon.

"We don't want to just hand a child a bag of food every weekend and feel our job is complete. We want to offer other resources to hopefully improve their situation. We have so many wonderful sponsoring churches and other nonprofits, which we are so very grateful to have their support. If we join forces, work together, share each other's ministries, so many more families can benefit. We are not only feeding their bellies but feeding their souls as well," said Diana Wall.

Wall is helping with the upcoming forum, "Our Children Our Future," which will be taking place from 10 a.m. to noon Saturday at Westview Baptist Church in Martinsburg. She is encouraging the community, legislators, local churches, businesses and school personnel to attend. This is the communities' chance to get their voices heard on the poverty, struggles and hardships our communities face daily. This forum not only deals with hunger, but also teen pregnancy, which is on the rise, prevention of family violence, child care cuts and many other issues. If interested in setting up an informational booth for a church, agency or outreach dealing with these issues, contact CCM/KPP.

The ministry is also gathering different agencies, churches and gifted people to start producing workshops to take place throughout the community. These workshops will consist of different classes to help families gain extra resources or knowledge on how to help their families. Eating and cooking healthier, how to coupon to help cut that grocery budget and financial budgeting are a few classes the ministries will begin offering.

Community Combined Ministries also offers a discount food program, His Food Ministry. Each month a new menu is released and the public is welcome to order. A manna meal consists of 18 pounds or more of food for $33. They also offer different specials such as 15 pounds of boneless chicken breast for $33. The orders come in once a month and are picked up at Eagle Intermediate School. It is a way to save on groceries, or you can donate a box to a family.